AIAA Houston 2014-2015 Executive Council Elections

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AIAA Houston Section Members -

The  AIAA Houston Section executive council election is underway.  The following positions are up for election for the term 7/1/2014 – 6/30/2015:

  • Chair-Elect
  • Vice Chair – Operations
  • Vice Chair – Technical
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Councilor (5 positions open.  Councilors serve a two-year term, 7/1/2014-6/30/2016)

Please cast your vote today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YNCFSD3

Voting will be closed on 4/30/14.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Robert Plunkett
Councilor, AIAA Houston Section
councilor7-2013@aiaahouston.org

January/February 2014 Horizons Issue

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The January/February 2014 issue of Horizons is now online (42 pages in an 8 MB PDF file). Horizons is the newsletter of the Houston Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The cover story is, “GAIA Leaps Past Hipparcos,” by Wes Kelly, Triton Systems LLC. This issue also contains, Physics-Based Optimization Methods, by Dr. Patrick E. Rodi (with two animated figures), “In Memoriam: Robert L. Sackheim, 1937 – 2013,” two book reviews (Space Elevators and The Case for Space Solar Power), “History as Science: Megatons to Megawatts” (Kelly’s Corner), “The First French International Dark Sky Reserve: Pic du Midi,” climate change articles, and much more.

AIAA Houston Technical Committees

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Members,

As you know, the AIAA Houston Section has several Technical Committees. In order to facilitate greater involvement from the Membership with the Technical Committees, we felt it would be beneficial to provide a list of the many disciplines, the Chair of each Technical Committee, and their @aiaahouston.org email. If interested in participating or fully joining any of these committees drop the Chairs a line. We’re always looking for Lunch and Learn topics as well so feel free to make a suggestion as well.

The structure and contact information can also be found on the Organization Chart

Astrodynamics                                                            -   Dr. Albert Jackson        -   astro2013@aiaahouston.org
Automation and Robotics                                             -   Dr. Zafar Taqvi               –   autorobo2013@aiaahouston.org
Extra-Vehicular Activity                                                -   Evelyn Miralles             –   eva2013@aiaahouston.org
Guidance, Navigation, and Control                                -   Dr. Steven E. Everett      -   gnc2013@aiaahouston.org
History                                                                       -   Ted Kenny                     –  history2013@aiaahouston.org
In-Space Imaging and Crew Observations                      -   Dr. Kamlesh Lulla           –  imaging2013@aiaahouston.org
International Space Activities                                       -   Ludmila Dmitriev-Odier    -   international2013@aiaahouston.org
Life Sciences, Space Processes, and Human Factors   –   Liz Warren, PhD             –  lifesciences2013@aiaahouston.org
Program Management & Integration                              -   Dr. Satya Pilla               –   pmi2013@aiaahouston.org
Propulsion and Power Systems                                    -   Sheikh Ahsan                -  propulsion2013@aiaahouston.org
Safety and Mission Assurance                                     -   Roger Kleinhammer        -  sma2013@aiaahouston.org
Space Commercialization                                            -   Kavya Manyapu              -  commercial2013@aiaahouston.org
Space Operations                                                        -   BeBe Kelly-Serrato         –  spaceops2013@aiaahouston.org
Systems Engineering                                                  -   Gary Brown                    -  systems2013@aiaahouston.org

JSC State of the Center with Deputy Director Kirk Shireman

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AIAA Houston Section will host Deputy Director Kirk Shireman for a Johnson Space Center State of the Center event February 27th, 2014. The Section invites all to RSVP at the event website below by February 18th.

Mr. Shireman’s extensive career in aerospace engineering began in 1985 with navigation and control for the space shuttle. He served as manager for Solid Rocket Booster and External Tank Separation and also manager for Ascent Guidance, Navigation and Control for the space shuttle. In 1994 Mr. Shireman began supporting the International Space Station, first as manager of Navigation and Control Subsystems and then as manager over the space station’s Russian Elements and Operations Integration branch. As deputy center director, Mr. Shireman works with Dr. Ellen Ochoa to manage the people, budget and activities of Johnson Space Center. He also serves as the chair of the International Space Station Mission Management Team, where he is responsible for all aspects of on-orbit operations of the International Space Station.

We look forward to seeing you at the event!

RSVP Link

Special Collaboration Event with SWAPRA: Gene Kranz

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AIAA Houston Section in collaboration with the South Western Aerospace Professional Representatives Association (SWAPRA) invites you to a luncheon with a special speaker, Mr. Gene Kranz, Former NASA Flight Director. His talk, “Failure is Not an Option” will be at Bay Oaks Country Club on January 29th, 2014 at 11:30am and will discuss the Apollo 13 crisis, the stresses and challenges, and how it was all overcome.

RSVP before Monday, January 27 to Chris Elkins at celkins@atec.com 281-276-2792 to make sure you have a seat at this special engagement. AIAA Members will also need to reserve their seat through PayPal unless also a part of SWAPRA. For those and further event details please see the event page.